Pavel Datsyuk scores, assists to lead Red Wings past Penguins, 4-1

AP PhotoDetroit's Pavel Datsyuk is congratulated by teammates after scoring against Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh’s Russian star, Evgeni Malkin, was dominant early, taking the puck to the net with authority, scoring a goal and banging a couple of other shots off the goal post.

But it was Detroit’s Russian star, Pavel Datsyuk, who made the difference in the end, scoring a nifty goal and making a terrific play to set up Johan Franzen’s game-winner, as the Red Wings defeated the Penguins 4-1 on Tuesday at the Consol Energy Center.

The Red Wings evened their road record to 7-7-0. They are 10-2 in their past 12 games.

Goaltender Jimmy Howard is the main reason — he made 25 saves to improve to 18-6-1. But getting Datsyuk on a roll has been crucial. He has 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) in the past 12 games, including eight multiple-point games.

"He’s one of the best in the world," Howard said. "He does everything so well, whether it’s playing defensively, trying to be a shut-down guy, and then he also generates offense. He’s got a killer backhand and made a great pass to Mule (Franzen)."

The killer backhand came at 16:01 of the second period, one which the Penguins had been dominating. But when Todd Bertuzzi hit Matt Niskanen behind the net, stealing the puck and setting up Datsyuk for his wicked backhand from the slot, the game was tied 1-1 and the momentum shifted Detroit’s way, where it stayed.

"I wish I shoot it like forehand, but it’s a situation where I’m in the middle of ice, I want to use (backhand)," Datsyuk said. "Bert gave me good pass, give me a good chance. I had lots of time to think about what to do."

Datsyuk then showed his tremendous hand-eye coordination by batting down Matt Cooke’s clearing attempt and setting up Franzen, who fired a wrist shot past Marc-Andre Fleury on the power play at 5:15 of the third period, snapping the 1-1 tie.

"To get the first one was key, and Pav made a great play on the second one, Mule with the great shot," Danny Cleary said. "It was a good road game for us."

Cleary wrapped it up with a couple of goals after the Red Wings killed a pair of penalties on Jiri Hudler in the third.

Cleary scored at 15:36, capping a three-on-two rush by driving the middle and converting a pass from former Penguin Chris Conner. Cleary also scored into an empty net with six seconds remaining.

"For first 10 minutes of the second period, I felt they competed harder than we did, won more battles, were taking the game a little bit," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "We really dug in at that point and played well for the last 30 minutes.

"They got a really good team, even without Sid (Crosby, out with concussion-like symptoms) and a few of their guys (defensemen Kris Letang and Zbynek Michalek also were out). They’re very deep and well-coached. It’s fun to play against them, and tonight was a good win for our team."

The Red Wings have allowed two or fewer goals in 20 of their 29 games.

Howard’s only blemish came with 4.5 seconds remaining in the first, when Malkin, whose status wasn’t determined until game time due to an undisclosed ailment, scored on a two-on-one.

"I think I was a little fortunate tonight," Howard said. "Malkin was able to sneak a couple through, but I got a good portion of the puck, so sometimes you get the bounces.

"Every single time he touched the puck, it seemed like something was happening. He’s a great player."

He said the same of Datsyuk, who has rounded into form after a puzzling start in which he tallied only 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in 16 games.

"Good players find a way to get going," Babcock said. "Their pride is on the line, they’re competitive, and Pav’s a workaholic. I’m not too concerned about him.

"I thought he was dominant down the stretch and really turned his game up. That’s what he tends to do in the bigger moments."